Event Documentation: Anchoring Future Skills at all Levels in Adult Education Centers

The detailed documentation of the conference by Sabine Bertram is available here: Download

There is no question that the increasingly widespread use of digital technologies has a wide range of effects on social discourse and therefore also on learning processes and educational institutions. Creating a nationwide exchange, information and development space for adult education centers (vhs) was the aim of the German Adult Education Association (DVV) when it held the interdisciplinary conference (FüK) on the topic of “Future Skills” on 26/27 May 2025 in the Volkshaus Jena in Germany. A good 430 participants from all over Germany accepted the invitation to strengthen future-relevant skills in all subject areas and functions of vhs. 

Overall concept of the conference

The conference programme made it clear that dealing with Future Skills is not just about theoretical knowledge, but also about transferring this knowledge to one's own institution and framework conditions.

In addition to the keynote speeches, welcoming addresses, reflection sessions and workshops, the following formats ensured this:

• A workbook specially designed for the conference served as an individual guide for each participant and provided space for taking notes and outlining their own ideas.
• Alongside the conference programme, a diverse education fair offered the opportunity to gain an insight into various European education projects carried out by adult education centres and/or regional associations. The National Agency at the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (NA at BIBB) was represented by a large team to provide information about funding opportunities through the Erasmus+ programme, the Europass and the electronic platform for adult education in Europe EPALE.
• The Digi-Mobil of the Lower Saxony state association presented its portfolio on robotics and virtual reality, while other adult education centre partners such as telc GmbH, y-not GmbH and DVV International provided insights into current education and examination products as well as marketing materials for adult education centres.
• The ‘Office for the utilisation of errors and coincidences’ offered a creative approach by issuing certificates for participants' error and coincidence skills, thus providing an inspiring counterpoint to formal educational requirements.